Taunton should consider example of annual Fall River polar plunge

FALL RIVER — "A dip in the ocean during the winter can be a boon to one's stamina, virility and immunity."

So was the view and belief of Bernarr Macfadden, the man who in 1903 founded the Coney Island Polar Bear Club in Brooklyn, New York.

In my hometown Fall River, where many natives have long fancied their accents a New England version of Brooklynese, a similar cold-water tradition has taken hold during the past seven years.

Except for skipping one year when weather conditions were particularly punishing, the Sandy Beach Neighborhood Polar Plunge, since 2011, has been held every New Year's Day morning in the far South End below Atlantic Boulevard.

The worthy-cause habit of running into Mount Hope Bay is intended, primarily, to raise money for the city's no-kill Forever Paws Animal Shelter.

Some people make monetary donations, while others simply show up for the challenge and ostensible enjoyment of immersing themselves in questionably clean but definitely frigid water.

The late Mr. Macfadden probably was correct, generally speaking at least, as to health benefits derived from cold plunges.

In Fall River, however, they weren't taking any chances.

A check-in table had been set up near the wooden steps descending to the rough-hewn shore — where anyone partaking of the Sandy Beach plunge first had to sign a form absolving authorities of any liability, in the event that one's internal ticker happens to shut down from the shock.

Former Fall River mayor and onetime Taunton assistant city solicitor Will Flanagan, along with former councilwoman Pat Casey, was instrumental in organizing and publicizing the first few plunges.

The mayor, with megaphone in hand, would gamely rally the troops as they counted down from 10 before running into the choppy waters off the rocky, shell-covered beach front, a misnomer if there ever was one.

Flanagan, who was 29 when elected, was a good sport.

But it was clear that he otherwise would never consider dunking himself in the bay in winter — borne out by the fact that he hustled back to shore each time after wading in up to his waist.

Mayor Jasiel Correia was just 24 when he took office a year ago in Fall River, so I was prepared to see him brace the cold and put to shame an old fogey such as yours truly.

Correia may have some bold initiatives for redeveloping the Spindle City, but when it comes to polar plunging he's taking no chances.

As I headed in to plunge below the surface, the city's chief executive was trudging with determination back to dry land after wading in barely to belt level.

New Year's Day polar plunges have gained in popularity in recent years, and Fall River is no exception.

It's encouraging to see so many onlookers, a number of whom I'm guessing don't live in the city, show up with friends, family and dogs to cheer us on.

Perhaps Taunton someday will get on the bandwagon and hold its own annual polar plunge either at Watson Pond or Lake Rico.

With its reputation as a city that takes pride in its rich history, it might make sense to attach the name of a famous Tauntonian so that elected officials and civic leaders can promote the event.

And maybe the city's Business Improvement District could collaborate so that local downtown businesses might see some post-polar residual revenue.

If there's one thing I've learned from my years of taking the plunge it's that there's always someone out there, regardless of age, waiting to take the challenge.

But it's not for everyone.

After recently taking a swim in the heated pool of my local YMCA, I asked the two teenage lifeguards if they were coming to Sandy Beach to partake of some cold-water fun.